Archaeology is defined in the American Heritage College dictionary: The study of material remains, such as graves, tools and pottery from past human life and culture. Another definition from the Lotus reference is: The systematic recovery and study of material evidence remaining from past human cultures.

These are just a couple of definitions that describe Archaeology; to American Indian people this represents our past. The objects that are found on a site represent our past culture, but in some cases they still represent the people who continue to utilize these sites.

An archaeological site might have been an old homestead site, fur trading post, fishing camp, ricing camp or a precontact site. In some cases these sites still are ricing camps or fishing camps. Some of these sites are still used by Indian people today. The purpose of the "From Site to Story" web site is to educate the public about the past cultures that once lived here by giving the public a window to look through.

Please keep in mind that what these material remains represent are people, whether they lived here 100 years ago or back 9,000 years ago. People have lived here in Minnesota for thousands of years and will continue to live here for years to come.